Armour
Eragon, Arya, their dragons, Roran and Katrina waited at the mouth of the waterfall for the newly crowned King Orik to appear. He was to be left with the dwarven armies. They were marching straight to Uru'bean while the Varden marched on Dras-Leona.
Eragon was skipping rocks across the lake while everyone was waiting. He wore plain travelling clothes and a heavy cloak to keep out the cold.
The others were dressed similarly, and also seemed bored by the delay. Eragon enjoyed the peace, and the irony that Orik was the one who said, "elves have only one concept of time. Late and even later."
Eventually they heard the drone of armoured boots hitting stone and Orik along with his honour guard emerged. Orik was now dressed in dwarven finery and Eragon could here the muffled jingle of chain mail underneath. Across Orik's back Eragon saw Hothgar's hammer.
One of the dwarfs was pleading with Orik in dwarfish but Orik cut him off and ignored him.
"Lord Shadeslayer." He said Formally "Shouldn't we be going?"
"Of course, your highness." Replied Eragon as Saphira leant down to allow Orik to climb up.
Saphira stifled snorts of laughter as Orik climbed up her foreleg tickled her. Eragon then clambered up and sat behind Orik. Arya as before sat behind Eragon allowing Roran and Katrina to ride together.
The dwarf guard tried to talk to Orik, but Orik simply barked a command in dwarfish and he fell silent.
"Get me out of here, Eragon." Whispered Orik.
Saphira launched herself into the air with effortless grace with Veravanda close behind her.
With wind whistling in their ears it was hard to speak so Eragon used his mind.
Orik, what was that Dwarf trying to talk to you about? He asked.
He wanted me to walk to the dwarven army so that I could have my honour guard protect me. Replied Orik wearily.
But, it would take you weeks to walk all the way to the army!
I know but it is custom that the king has an honour guard.
I suppose.
They continued to discuss some of the trivial in life while Saphira and Veravanda soared over the Boar Mountains through the glistening sun. The city of Orthiad went past and they rested in Surda near the capital city of Aberon.
The next day they flew over the lake of Tüdosten much to the dismay of Orik fearing Saphira would carry out her notion of diving under the surface. They eventually came to the dwarven occupied town of Furnost. Despite their town being under enemy control the towns people seemed delighted to have the chance to see dwarfs and dragon.
Orik cautiously dismounted Saphira and was instantly met with the acting general of the army, a dwarf named Falcor. He was a powerfully built dwarf with a large black beard and a large axe slung across his back. He waited until Veravanda had landed and everyone had dismounted before talking.
"Greetings." He said, "I am Falcor, son of Berethor. Acting-General of the dwarven armies here."
"Greetings brother dwarf." Replied Orik "I am Orik, son of Thrifk. King of the dwarven realms."
Falcor bowed low in respect to his new king. Orik formally introduced the other members of their party including Saphira and Veravanda, much to their surprise.
Eragon we can't really sit here exchanging pleasantries. Said Arya mentally.
I know. Replied Eragon We can be at Dras-Leona in a few hours, but our relationship with the dwarfs is tense enough already we do not want to insult them by leaving early.
I suppose but we should get there as soon as possible.
I agree.
"Orik." Whispered Eragon, "Arya and I need to head for the Varden."
Orik turned around with a slightly sad look on his face "Of course Eragon. You need to head to your army, it is a shame you can't stay and rest for awhile."
"Indeed." Agreed Eragon "Farewell, Your Majesty."
Eragon bowed and mounted Saphira. He watched as each of his companions bade their farewells to Orik. Arya then mounted Saphira, therefore continuing to allow Roran and Katrina to ride together.
As they grew closer to Dras-Leona they began to see dark clouds on the horizon. Foul weather was afoot.
There is a storm on the horizon, Saphira. Said Eragon, can we reach the Varden before it hits?
Of course I can, Eragon. Replied Saphira indignantly. For us it is only bad weather. For the Empire it is the coming of their doom.
Eragon grinned as they touched down near the Varden. Dras-Leona looked as dark and as filthy as ever. The storm clouds were all round blocking out the sun.
Helgrind's black spires seemed like the gates of death. It was appropriately named. That is where we must go, after the battle.
Why not now? Asked Saphira.
Eragon dismounted before answering. We don't know what we'll face in there. I don't want to use up my strength before the battle.
As Arya dismounted Veravanda landed. Arya had a small smile on her face.
"At least you didn't get shot at this time." She joked.
Eragon laughed and managed to compose himself before Nasuada arrived. Roran and Katrina dismounted and came to join them.
Nasuada was dressed for war in shimmering golden mail and a sword strapped to her waist. She hugged Eragon and his companions before speaking.
"It is good to see you all." She grinned it was obvious she was pleased to have two more dragon riders with her. "You may wish to get into your armour. Roran your armour is in yours and Katrina's tent which is next to mine."
Roran and Katrina thanked Nasuada, before heading off to their tent. Nasuada turned back to Eragon and Arya and asked, "Who is the new dwarf king?"
Eragon grinned and said "Orik, Milady."
Nasuada was visibly stunned "Orik?" she said "I thought his friendship with you made it impossible."
At this moment Arya entered the conversation "He told the dwarfs to stop viewing the fallen riders as being as evil as Galbatorix. Then he told them to do what was best for the dwarven nation which was accepting our help."
Nasuada smiled slyly "I always knew he would make a good king."
"Where is Murtagh? Milady." Asked Eragon "We left our armour with him."
"He and Thorn are on the riverside of the encampment."
"Thank you Lady Nasuada." Said Eragon as he mounted Saphira.
Arya mounted Veravanda and the two dragons launched into the air. They looked down over the Varden encampment. It surrounded the city of Dras-Leona. It was an immense army, but the garrison in the city was just as large. Both sides had siege engines capable of reeking destruction on huge scales but it was the riders that gave the Varden the advantage in this battle.
They saw the ruby form of Thorn asleep by the riverside already clad in his large silver dragon armour. Murtagh was practicing swordsmanship.
When they landed Thorns head, shot up, he had been asleep, and he instantly rushed over to greet Saphira and Veravanda. Eragon and Arya dismounted and greeted Murtagh.
"Welcome back." He said cheerfully "I thought I would have to attack this city alone."
"Nope." Smiled Eragon "we didn't want to miss this."
The half-brothers embraced and then Murtagh and Arya hugged each other. The mood was so light, but to Eragon a pang of guilt flashed across him. How am I to tell him Morzan was not my father?
Tell him after the battle little one. Said Saphira You both need a clear head for what is about to happen.
Fine.
"Well it's probably a good idea for you to get into your armour." Said Murtagh.
"Very well." Agreed Eragon "Where is our Armour?"
"In my tent." Replied Murtagh pointing with his sword at a large tent erected by the riverside.
Eragon and Arya went inside and found theirs and their dragon's armour. They spent half an hour getting Saphira and Veravanda into their armour. When they were finished Thorn, Saphira and Veravanda looked brilliant and terrifying in silver armour that made them seem bigger than they already were.
How does it feel? Asked Eragon.
It's so light. Rhunon is an amazing smith.
Indeed. Agreed Eragon. I'll put my armour on.
Eragon went into the tent and pulled of is tunic. He then proceeded to put on a thicker undershirt and his gold and silver chain mail. He pulled of his boots and breeches and pulled on the thicker trousers and then put on his greaves.
He pulled on the armoured boots and his plate covered gauntlets. He then slipped on the torso plate armour on which had a metal skirt that went half way down his thigh allowing his legs to move but protecting his groin. He strapped the plate armour on to his arms. He flexed his arms, legs and fingers the armour didn't slow him at all. Rhunon really was gifted.
He strung his bow and slotted it into his quiver. He slung his quiver across his back and strapped his curved elven short sword beneath the quiver with the hilt pointing to his left side. He strapped the belt of Beloth the wise across his waist and tied the sheath of his sword to it. On his right hip he tied his hunting knife. He placed his helm on his head visor up and picked up his shield.
He strode out of the tent and Murtagh and Arya gapped at him.
"What?" he asked curiously.
"You look…" said Arya "You look the part."
Eragon frowned, unsure of what she meant. Arya went into the tent to change into her armour. Saphira then showed Eragon what she meant.
She showed Eragon how he looked through her eyes. He looked like a valiant knight of old. A rider near invincibility, someone who would strike fear into his enemies but give hope to his followers.
Eragon smiling at Murtagh's and Arya's reaction sat against Saphira to rest.
"Eragon." Said Murtagh "wake up."
Eragon's eye snapped open and he got up. Murtagh and Arya were both clad in armour and the sun was setting.
"It's starting." Explained Murtagh.
Eragon looked towards the city. Storm clouds completely covered it making the twilight even darker. Eragon mounted Saphira when he heard the faint ding! Of something hitting his armour. A raindrop, all of a sudden rain was coming down in torrents.
Huge balls of flame shot from the Vardens catapults and struck the city. The siege of Dras-Leona had begun.